AUSTIN – The new Austin Central Library, offering much more than books, is part of a wave of new development in downtown Austin.
“The Central Library and café are in the center of a tremendous amount of new construction activity along West Second Street, including the Seaholm project, North Shore mixed-use development, 500 West Second Street and the proposed Austin Proper Hotel. We are optimistic that we will find the ideal restaurant partner for this landmark project and the City of Austin,” said Eric DeJernett, CBRE Senior Vice President.
The new six-story Central Library, located at 710 West Cesar Chavez, was designed by a joint venture of San Antonio-based Lake|Flato and Shepley Bulfinch. The project is expected to open in November 2016.
The Central Library is projecting a robust event calendar for its event spaces that include a 300-seat auditorium overlooking Lady Bird Lake, rooftop garden, plaza amphitheater and other various meeting spaces.
CBRE is handling the leasing assignment for a café and catering space within the new public library, which is under construction. The City of Austin seeks an approachable restaurant concept serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily with a full bar.
The café fronts West Second Street in the Second Street Retail District and overlooks Shoal Creek. It will feature an independent storefront entrance, 3,786-square-foot café, adjoining 2,065-square-foot covered patio and 786-square-foot demo/catering kitchen to serve the numerous special events anticipated at the facility. Additionally, a quick-serve coffee/snack bar will open into the interior atrium space.
DeJernett is partnering with Peter Jansen of CBRE’s Public Institutions & Education Solutions group on the marketing efforts. The City expects to make a selection in the fall of 2015 after a thorough market engagement period.